Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
SB 5465
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning exemptions from licensure as a physical therapist.
Sponsors: Senators Dammeier, Schlicher, Becker, Keiser and McAuliffe.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/26/13
Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).
Background:
Physical therapy is based on movement science and includes a variety of functions and services such as:
examining, evaluating, and testing individuals with health and movement-related conditions to determine a diagnosis, prognosis, plan of therapeutic intervention, and to assess and document the ongoing effects of intervention;
alleviating impairments and functional limitations in movement;
training for, and the evaluation of, the function of a patient wearing an orthosis or prosthesis;
performing certain wound care services;
reducing the risk of injury, impairment, functional limitation, and disability related to movement; and
engaging in administration, consultation, education, and research.
A physical therapist may supervise no more than two assistive personnel at any one time.
Generally, people need to be licensed as a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant in order to practice physical therapy. However, a person does not need to be licensed as a physical therapist assistant if he or she is pursuing a course of study leading to a degree as a physical therapist assistant in an approved professional educational program and is satisfying supervised clinical education requirements related to his or her physical therapist assistant education while under the direct supervision of a licensed physical therapist.
Summary of Bill:
A person satisfying supervised clinical education requirements related to a course of study leading to a degree as a physical therapist assistant may be supervised by a licensed physical therapist assistant (in addition to a licensed physical therapist). The limitation on the number of assistive personnel a physical therapist may supervise does not include people who are pursuing a course of study leading to a degree as a physical therapist or a physical therapist assistant.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.